Christa Marie Richardson

Christa Marie Richardson, of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on April 5th, 2024 at the age of 55. Born on July 11, 1968 in Boston, MA, Christa spent her childhood in Marshfield, MA, and cherished many wonderful summers on Martha's Vineyard with her beloved pony, Sadie. After her parents separated, Christa moved to Vermont, graduated from Wilmington, VT High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Emerson College in Boston.

Christa's life was marked by her adventurous spirit, and deep compassion for others. Throughout her life, she was passionate about caring for those who needed help. She had a special place in her heart for horses and dogs. We all have fond memories of her dogs Mo, Romeo, and London. Christa worked with horses during summers in Union, Maine, and then with equine rescues in MA. There was always a dog in her house.

After college, Christa interned at National Geographic Magazine in Washington DC. Her dedication to helping others was evident in her work for the Marriott Hotel in Virginia, where she helped train people on welfare to join the Marriott work force and was very successful. Later, Christa was a DJ on the Martha's Vineyard public radio station and took a job working with the mentally challenged on Martha's Vineyard. Christa moved to St. Paul, MN, where she started her own business, and met her husband, John Dow and his children, who became her own, Grayson, Genna and Griffin.

Christa is survived by her husband, John Dow, and Genna and Griffin of St. Paul, MN; her father, David Richardson, and his wife, Ellen of Bristol, RI; her brother, John Richardson, his wife Ellen Sibley, and nephews, Benjamin and Alexander all of Wellesley, MA; Stepsister, Nancy Danielson, her husband, Charles Danielson and their sons, Henry, Ethan and Oliver, who called Christa their Tante, all of Martha's Vineyard, MA; and stepbrother, Michael Sutherland of Alexandria, VA.

Christa was predeceased by her mother, Erika Richardson, and son, Grayson Dow. A service will be held at the Unitarian Church, in Concord, MA at 1:00pm on Friday, May 31st. Following the service, burial will take place in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord. In lieu of flowers, donations in Christa's memory may be made to Horse Sensibility in Sherborn, MA, www.horsesensibility.org therapeutic riding for kids with needs, or your local animal shelter.